tls258
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 9, 2014
- Messages
- 285
One aspect of the Sonex is its "ugly" fuselage shape, which incorporates a lifting body design. The shape of the fuselage is an airfoil that contributes lift. "What if" the Sonerai cowl and turtle were streamlined into more of a lifting body shape. Would that just be too ugly? Vincent Burnelli designed a cargo/passenger plane that first flew in 1944 and was retired from passenger service in 1964. It's performance was similar to the DC-3 but could carry 2,000# more and had a TO distance of 650 ft. But, it was ugly. The Bellanca Cruiseair also incorporates some lifting body design.
